National focus on cybersecurity needed to safeguard renewable energy systems

A cybersecurity expert has called for increased national attention to cybersecurity, warning that Nigeria’s transition to renewable and environmentally sustainable energy systems could be severely undermined by rising cyber threats.

Speaking at an international cybersecurity conference held in Abuja, Benson Adams, editorial board member at Journal of Peace Service Academy, said digital vulnerabilities now pose a significant risk to renewable energy projects such as solar farms, wind turbines, smart grids, and decentralised microgrids, which increasingly rely on cloud platforms, automation, and connected digital technologies.

According to Adams, while these innovations are critical to advancing clean energy adoption, they also expose critical infrastructure to complex cyber risks that could stall environmental growth and sustainable development if not properly addressed.

“Energy infrastructure and renewable systems that were once considered low-risk have now become high-value targets for cybercriminals,” he said.

“Cyber incidents targeting energy assets can disrupt power supply, compromise sensitive operational data, damage physical equipment, and endanger public safety and the environment.”

He stressed that as renewable energy becomes more deeply integrated into national power grids and community-based energy systems, cybersecurity must be treated as a foundational requirement rather than an optional add-on.

Adams delivered his lecture at an event organised by the Centre for Peace and Rehabilitation of Displaced Persons (CEPREDIP), where he spoke on the growing intersection between cybersecurity and environmental sustainability.

He explained that decentralised renewable energy systems, including off-grid solar installations, community microgrids, and hybrid energy storage solutions, are transforming how energy is generated and consumed globally.

“These systems reduce dependence on centralised fossil fuel-based power sources, promote energy equity, and empower communities, especially in economically fragile and disaster-prone regions, to achieve resilience and energy independence,” he stated.

However, Adams cautioned that such systems depend heavily on smart meters, Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, cloud-based energy management platforms, supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, and technologies that are vulnerable to cyberattacks if poorly secured.

“If these digital components are inadequately protected, malicious actors can exploit them to disrupt operations, steal sensitive data, or destabilize entire energy networks,” Adams warned.

He referenced major global cyber incidents, including the 2021 Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack, which forced a shutdown of fuel supplies across parts of the United States, and the 2020 SolarWinds supply chain breach, which exposed vulnerabilities in third-party software systems used by energy organisations worldwide.

“These incidents demonstrate how outdated security practices and interconnected software ecosystems can lead to widespread operational and economic disruption,” he noted.

While acknowledging Nigeria’s progress through initiatives such as the Renewable Energy Master Plan (REMP) and the Nigerian Renewable Energy Policy, Adams stressed that sustained alignment with global cybersecurity standards and innovation trends is essential to safeguard investments in clean energy and ensure long-term system resilience.